Although the chance for this to happen is extremely low, and requires frequent exposure--typically applying to only construction workers, I thought I should mention this at least somewhere in the thread.

Inhalation of Crystalline Silica particles (dust) in this Sand(usually 90-99% silica) leads to about 250-300 deaths each year. It is strongly linked to be a carcinogen by the us,aus, and other governmental departments of labor, and can cause a severe lung problem known as silicosis or risk of tb depending on exposure.

Although the chance for this to happen is extremely low, and requires frequent exposure--typically applying to only construction workers, I thought I should mention this at least somewhere in the thread.

Inhalation of Crystalline Silica particles (dust) in this Sand(usually 90-99% silica) leads to about 250-300 deaths each year. It is strongly linked to be a carcinogen by the us,aus, and other governmental departments of labor, and can cause a severe lung problem known as silicosis or risk of tb depending on exposure.

Just remember to avoid inhalation wherever possible.

This shouldn't be a problem for most people doing sand substrates, but if you're concerned, there's a couple of very easy ways you can deal with it:

1) Wear a mask. They're cheap and readily available from Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

I just setup my 90 gallon tank using 80lbs. of eco-complete and 100lbs. of black course silica sand.I use a fluval 405 canister filter with intake 3" above sand(7.5centimeters) nad planted it today.I could only get a few plants at my local fish store so will plant the rest when available.So far I got 4 cabomba bunches and 1 amazon sword.I plan to move my cichlids from my 25 gallon to the 90.I have 2 cockatoo apistos,2 blue rams,1 dwarf flag and 2 clown loaches oh and my boys have 1 male beta.I am sure they will love the new tank when it cycles in about 6 weeks.I also made a light system for it using 6-54watt 6500K t5 lights and a specular aluminum shade for the housing with 2 3"fans to remove any heat buildup from the lights.I can't wait for it to grow now nad cycle so I can add my fish.

Now is the sand good or not???? I've heard plants love it. Is that true??? And if I'd decide to buy sand what "kind of" sand should I buy?? I am waiting for your reply!!!!!_________________50G
planted
low light 1 WPG (now)

Lowes has it for about 2.50$ for a 50 pound bag. Or any hardware store. Use playsand, they keep it all year for kitty litter or car oil. But You have to wash it really good before using it. I put mine in a bucket then using gloves ran my hand threw it. Keep washing until the water runs clean or at least close. I use gloves because it is hard on your nails. They will split, being sand is really coarse. I do have to rinse my filter out every now and then. It will stop, from sand getting caught in there. Mostly when you clean and stir it up some._________________

What about using sand and river rock (pebbles)? If you put the rock in the area of the filter and the sand in the other part of the tank, would that work? That would look kinda neat. I would eventully like to get an Imperial pleco and I read they prefer sand to rock._________________Thanks a bunch